Parent Information

Walk-A-Thon scheduled for Friday, January 30th has been cancelled.

Volunteers needed to help coach the PALS Basketball team

If you love the hoops and would like to volunteer to help coach the PALS Basketball team at PHMA, we would love to hear from you.

The Game days, starting at 4:00, are as follows:

Thursday, February 19th

Thursday, February 26th.

Tuesday, March 3rd

Thursday, March 12th

Thursday, March 19th

Game originally scheduled for our Spring Break week on April 2nd will be determined; either Tuesday, March 10th or Tuesday, March 17th if possible.

Tuesday, April 7th

Thursday, April 16th

The team practice is at our school on the basketball court every Monday and Wednesday, and either Tuesday or Thursday if it is not a scheduled game day. Practice times are from 3:40-5:00 (approximately). We would love a few coaches to share in the practice and game days. Please contact either Sheryl Chelena or Ellen Kealey if you are interested in coaching for us.

Garage Sale/Car Wash on Saturday January 31st from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm on the field at PHMA.

Please drop off your donated items to the Senior Elementary Building or on the wooden porch to the Senior Elementary Building any time thru January 29th. Come on Saturday and get your car washed while browsing for a treasure for your home. See attached Flyers for all the details.

Parent Education Night in the New Middle School Building, January 26th from 6:00-7:30, click on link below for all the details. See you there!

On Friday, December 19th at 1:00 pm., we held a dedication ceremony to Christine Varkas, who founded Palm Harbor Montessori Academy 32 years ago. We presented her with a plaque signifying that the main building will forever be known as Varkas Hall. We then had a celebration for her in the New Middle School. Please click on the links below to read the Welcome speech by Carol Mercier, our Director of Education and Christine’s thank you.

PHMA’s ANNUAL BASH PARTY

Our Annual BASH “Building a Scholastic Heritage” Semi-Formal Dinner, Dance and Silent Auction Party is coming again to PHMA on Saturday, March 21st, 2015 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. followed by our Annual Golf Tournament, themed “Scholastic Classic” on Sunday, March 22nd, 2015.

This is an exciting fundraising event that will continue to provide scholarship support for deserving students as we maintain and modernize our teaching resources, support the arts program, physical education program including swimming, our technology program and continue to attract and train exceptional teachers providing opportunities for a challenging education.

We are excited to announce that the BASH Party will include Live Entertainment by the “The Black Honkeys” and hosted by “Catfish” from 103.5 FM. There will be delicious food, awesome music & dancing, silent & live auctions, 50/50 raffle, balloon pops and door prizes as well. The Golf Tournament will take place the following day with 18 holes of golf, hole-in-one prizes, lunch & awards.

We are in the process of forming committees and need Project Chairs and many volunteers to be part of the process.

School Calendar for 2014-2015

Here is the link for the School Calendar for 2014-2015 for you to print out or view at your convenience. Questions call (727) 786-1854. School Calendar ALL THREE 3-14

Flu Prevention at PHMA

As the flu season quickly approaches we want to inform our parents about the measures we are taking in the classroom to help minimize the spread of germs during this flu season.

Hand Washing:

Hand washing alone can greatly reduce the spread of germs and viruses. All children are instructed to wash their hands several times throughout the day; i.e., when a child enters the room from outside the building, before and after meals, each time the restroom is used and after they sneeze, cough, or blow their nose.

Covering your Mouth and Nose:

Students are being encouraged to cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when they cough or sneeze. We are also teaching the children to cover coughs and sneezes using their elbow instead of their hand when a tissue is not available.

Avoid Touching your Eyes, Nose and Mouth:

Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated and then touches their eyes, nose or mouth. The children are encouraged to keep their hands away from their face to help minimize the spread of germs.

Clean Surfaces and Classroom Items:

Surfaces that are more likely to have frequent hand contact such as door handles, water faucets, basins, desks, etc. are disinfected every day. Classroom materials are also cleaned on a regular basis to ensure the environment is clean and safe for all children.

Send Sick Students, Teachers and Staff Home:

If your child should become ill and needs to be sent home during the school day, we are requesting that you come to pick up your child as soon as possible. The longer a sick child remains in the classroom the greater the risk of the spread of germs and viruses. It is important that sick students and staff stay home at least 24 hours after they no longer have a fever and/or flu like symptoms (without the use of fever-reducing medication). This will reduce the risk of a relapse as well as help minimize the spread of infection.

If we all follow the above mentioned guidelines, we will decrease the exposure to the seasonal flu and the N1H1 virus while limiting the disruption of the school day and the vital learning that takes place. As always, we are committed to providing and maintaining a safe and healthy environment for the entire PHMA community. Thank you for your support!

PHMA WAS NOMINATED FOR TBBJ BEST OF THE BAY AWARD!!!

We have been nominated for the Tampa Bay Business Journal Readers Choice Award for Best of the Bay. We would love for everyone to vote for us on their website. The voting is going on right now, so please log on to this link and vote away!!!! Thank you for your continued support of Palm Harbor Montessori Academy.

ARE YOU GREAT AT COMPUTERS AND LOOKING TO VOLUNTEER???

If you are a computer guru and can teach the children and teachers about computers, a Smart Board or any of the Microsoft programs like Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc. We have volunteer opportunities for you!!!! Please contact Sheryl Chelena at schelena@floridamontessori.com or call her at 727-786-1854.

International Picnic

Dear PHMA / NMS Parents,

Thank you to all the parents and volunteers for your donations, hard work, dedication, creativity and love you gave for this year’s International Picnic.

The event was a huge success and we couldn’t do this without each and every one of you.

Thank you to all the parents for The International Foods, they were delicious! The Children’s Parade was awesome and the costumes were so creative!

Many thanks to all the Classroom Parents for your hard work in orchestrating the crafts, setting up the crafts and assigning volunteers….Hats off to the Classroom Parents…..they are amazing!

Thank you to all the teachers and staff for coming to the picnic and for the awesome work you do each and every day with the children….We love you all!

Thank you Coach John for bringing all the games! The children really enjoyed the variety of making crafts, playing on the playground and all the sports games!

A special thank you to the Chairperson; Melissa Bryan and the Co-Chairperson; Joelle Colwell for all your work…..you guys were amazing!

Very Sincerely,

Sheryl Chelena

Palm Harbor Montessori Academy Video

Take a look at this special video from our Founder Christine Varkas from 2010. Here is the link for you.

ROOM PARENT MEETING

There has been a one – time change in the room parent meeting date, therefore, we will switch our Tuesday, November 4th meeting to Monday, November 3rd @ 9:00 am.

Please RSVP so I will know that you have received this message. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. I will email the meeting minutes to each of you and I am always available to meet with you any time that works best for you.

Looking for Great Volunteer Hours?

Our Library at the school is in need of volunteers to reshelf books taken out by the students and teachers. If you are interested please contact Ellen Kealey in the front office.

Are You a Soccer Pro???

PALS Soccer is just around the corner for our team at PHMA. We are organizing practice days and times. If you love soccer and would like to help with the coaching both during practice and on game days, please contact Ellen Kealey at ekealey@floridamontessori.com or by phone 727-786-1854. What a fun way to get your volunteer hours done.

Palm Harbor Montessori Academy Survey

We are conducting a survey on Survey Monkey to see what your ideas for a new outdoor gathering place at PHMA would be and what features it would have. Please go to the link listed below and fill out the survey with your great ideas.

Senior Elementary Plant Sale

Plantarama: Plants! Plants! Plants! Flora Galora!!! Senior Elementary announces its Turkey Trot Fundraiser. We will be selling annuals, perennials, and houseplants to help us with the cost for our Spring Fling Adventure Trip. Please come prepared to enjoy the performances, feast on the foods, and make your holiday plant purchases–great for gifts and decorating!!!

Kids Caring for Kids

In the spirit of giving during this special time of year, we will again be collecting new & gently used toys for Metropolitan Ministries.

Our goal is for PHMA students to appreciate and learn the value of giving by helping children who might otherwise not have anything for the holidays.

Toys should be UNWRAPPED and placed in the designated bins outside the Main Building at the Nebraska Campus and at the Middle School Building. Please bring items from December 5 through December 19. If the item requires batteries, please provide new batteries.